Calhoun City dropped to 3-3 on the season falling 57-46 in a shootout to Notre Dame of Chattanooga, Tenn. last Friday.
The Irish led 13-6 after the opening period with the Wildcats’ score coming on a 52-yard run by QB Jo Gray.
The Wildcats took a 14-13 lead early in the second quarter when Gray hit Jyair Pierce with a 51 yard touchdown pass. Gray converted for two.
After the Irish answered with a touchdown drive to reclaim the lead, Pierce returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a score and the Wildcats led 22-20 at the half.
“We had some valuable players out tonight, but we came together and really played hard as a team,” Pierce said.
The back-and-forth continued in the third quarter with Notre Dame scoring two touchdowns around a 5-yard scoring run by Michael Roberson. Gray again added the 2-point conversion. The Irish led 36-30 entering the fourth quarter and expanded that to 43-30 quickly.
Jaalen Thomas broke free for an 80-yard touchdown run to pull the ‘Cats back within striking distance.
The Irish returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown and then the Wildcats answered with a touchdown drive, scoring on a 10-yard pass from Thomas to Roberson. Gray would again add the conversion to pull within 50-46, but the Irish would tack on another to salt the game away.
Thomas finished the night with 213 yards rushing to lead the Wildcats.
“Offensive line gave a great effort tonight,” Thomas said. “I’m proud of the effort we had as a team. I know we got beat, but we played hard and they have a good team.”
The Wildcats will open region play next week when they travel to East Webster.